I'm used to the Toronto rental prices. For $1000, you get a hobo's second-hand box. Been looking for a place to rent, and I couldn't find anything near your rent range, without a roommate. Also looked at a few apartments. Even found one that has a $1400 maintenance fee ON TOP of the mortgage. Yeah, prices are pretty borked everywhere. You guys just need to move out of the big cities. Out in the prairies (Regina, SK) you can buy 1400-1600 sq ft condos for around $200,000-$250,000. A nice sized house starts $300,000+ =)